All Chapters of Ashes Of His Regret : Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

JULIAN'S POV I'm in my temporary apartment...the one I can barely afford—staring at my phone. Willing it to ring. It doesn't. My lawyer calls instead. "Julian. The board meeting is in an hour. You need to be there." "What's the point? They're voting me out anyway." "Maybe. But you should still show up. Defend yourself." "With what? I'm under a federal investigation. My assets are frozen. I have no defense." "Then at least go out with dignity." Dignity. I almost laugh. I lost my dignity months ago. "Fine. I'll be there." ********************* The board room feels like a funeral. Nine faces staring at me. Hargrove at the head of the table. "Julian. Thank you for coming." "Did I have a choice?" "Not really." He doesn't smile. "The board has reviewed the situation. The SEC investigation. The frozen assets. The public scrutiny. We've decided it's in the company's best interest if you step down as CEO effective immediately." I knew it was coming. Doesn't make it easier.

ESMERALDA'S POV Dr. Chen's office is exactly what I expected. Warm lighting. Comfortable couch. Tissues strategically placed. She's in her fifties. Kind eyes. Professional smile. "Esmeralda. Thank you for coming. How are you feeling today?" Loaded question. "Conflicted." "About?" "Everything. My ex-husband. My current husband. Revenge. Healing. All of it." She nods. Writes something down. "Let's start with why you're here. What brought you to therapy?" I take a breath. "I lost a baby eight months ago. My husband—ex-husband—left me alone in the hospital. Filed for divorce while I was still grieving. Destroyed my father's company. Married someone else. And now I'm—" I stop. "I'm planning to destroy him back. And I don't know if that makes me strong or broken." "Why does it have to be one or the other?" "Because strong people don't need revenge. They heal and move on." "Says who?" The question catches me off guard. "Everyone?" "I think you'll find that's not true. Reveng

ESMERALDA'S POVI make the decision on a Tuesday.After my second therapy session.After another conversation with Damien that went nowhere.After staring at Julian's last voicemail for an hour without listening to it.I'm going to see him.One more time.Not for closure...Lila's right, closure is a myth.Not for revenge....though that's part of it.But because I need to look him in the eye and know:Am I over him?Or am I just pretending to be?************************I call Marcus first."I need you to set something up.""What kind of something?""A hotel suite. Hotel Carlyle. Private. Secure. I need it tomorrow night.""For?""Julian."Silence."Does Damien know about this?""Not yet. But he will.""Esmeralda—""Just set it up, Marcus. Please."He sighs. "Okay. What time?""8 PM. And Marcus?""Yeah?""I need it wired. Audio and video. Everything recorded."Another pause."You're going to seduce him. Get him on record.""Maybe. I don't know yet. I just—I need options.""Does this

DAMIEN'S POVMarcus calls at 9:07 AM."Turn on Morning Manhattan. Now.""Why?""Just do it."I turn on the TV.And there's Julian Voss.On national television.Looking broken and desperate.Talking about Esmeralda."...leaving you was the biggest mistake of my life..."My blood runs cold."...if there's any chance, any possibility that you'd give me another opportunity...""Fuck," I breathe.Marcus is still on the phone."Are you watching?""Yes.""This is bad.""I know.""I love her. I've always loved her. And I'll do anything to prove it."The camera pans to the audience.Women crying. People applauding.A public declaration of love.On live television."Damien, you still there?""Yeah.""What do we do?""Nothing. We do nothing.""Nothing? He just declared his love for your wife on national TV—""And it changes nothing. She's seeing him tomorrow anyway. This just—" I stop. "This makes him look more desperate. More pathetic. It actually helps us.""You sure about that?"Am I?"Yes.

ESMERALDA'S POV I walk into the suite as the door closes behind me with a soft click. Julian's staring at me like I'm a miracle. "You came," he says again. Like he can't believe it. "I said I would." The suite is exactly as Marcus arranged it. Living room. Bedroom visible through an open door. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Champagne on ice. Dom Pérignon. And hidden in the smoke detector, the lamp, the clock... Recording devices. Every word. Every movement. All being captured. "You look beautiful," Julian says. "Thank you." He's nervous. Fidgeting with his hands. Thinner than I remember. Dark circles under his eyes. Broken. Good. "Should we sit?" I ask. "Yes. Please." We sit on the couch. I make sure to angle myself toward the camera hidden in the bookshelf. Everything needs to be clear. Visible. Usable. "I saw your interview," I say. His face lights up. "You did?" "The whole world did, Julian." "I meant every word. I love you. I've always loved you." "Have you?"